Migration Tasmania – The analysis of Tasmania’s 2022 Skilled Nomination Program (Visa 190)
AESC is a Tasmania-based registered migration agent. We’ve stayed dedicated to Tasmanian education and migration services for 8 years. Our professional services have helped over 3500 clients realize their migration dreams.
AESC’s expertise lies in the profound understanding of Tasmanian education and migration policies. Our experienced consultants have all lived in Tasmania for a long time. Frequent interactions with the Tasmanian government keep us updated on the migration policies. In-depth insights and local life experience enable us to obtain reasonable foresight of the future trends in migration programs.
AESC always acts in your best interests. Apart from detailed explanations of migration pathways, we will also inform you about the potential risks and suggest solutions to minimize them. Our professionalism and ethics distinguish us from mediocre migration agents who only tell you how effortless the pathways can be. After free consultations, we will generate personalized migration plans that maximize your chances of securing a state nomination without any detour.
The following article presents you with the most comprehensive and detailed analysis of the Tasmanian 190 state nomination policy. Although this article costed us a whole week’s hard work, 20,000 words are still not enough to deliver all the critical information you need to know before making a well-informed decision. You are more than welcome to contact us for a comprehensive and realistic understanding of Tasmanian migration programs. Our consultants will provide you with a full picture and help you figure out the migration pathway that suits you the most.
AESC’s expertise lies in the profound understanding of Tasmanian education and migration policies. Our experienced consultants have all lived in Tasmania for a long time. Frequent interactions with the Tasmanian government keep us updated on the migration policies. In-depth insights and local life experience enable us to obtain reasonable foresight of the future trends in migration programs.
AESC always acts in your best interests. Apart from detailed explanations of migration pathways, we will also inform you about the potential risks and suggest solutions to minimize them. Our professionalism and ethics distinguish us from mediocre migration agents who only tell you how effortless the pathways can be. After free consultations, we will generate personalized migration plans that maximize your chances of securing a state nomination without any detour.
The following article presents you with the most comprehensive and detailed analysis of the Tasmanian 190 state nomination policy. Although this article costed us a whole week’s hard work, 20,000 words are still not enough to deliver all the critical information you need to know before making a well-informed decision. You are more than welcome to contact us for a comprehensive and realistic understanding of Tasmanian migration programs. Our consultants will provide you with a full picture and help you figure out the migration pathway that suits you the most.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
AESC’s in-depth analysis
Upon being granted the Subclass 190 visa, you are entitled to a green card in Australia. As a regional state of Australia, Tasmania has a relatively open immigration policy, which offers foreigners more significant advantages to come here and live permanently than other states. In a nutshell, the Tasmanian state nomination program is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to obtain permanent residency.Like other state sponsorships in Australia, the Tasmanian Government requires a commitment from the applicant to continue living in Tasmania as a PR for two years after the visa has been granted.
How to apply?
We will go through each of these seven phases in greater depth in the following article.
Step One: Meet the Department of Home Affairs key eligibility
AESC’s in-depth analysis
All five of the above requirements MUST be satisfied. In addition to meeting the Department of Home Affairs requirements, the applicant also needs to meet the requirements of the Tasmanian Government to be eligible for state nomination. The Tasmanian Government assesses your application for state nomination, and the Department of Home Affairs assesses your visa application.
Each state in Australia has different state-specific requirements. For example, some states require nominated occupations on their state's immigration occupation lists. Some states require additional work experience in specific industries or job offers for a certain amount of time. Some states nominate applicants based on their scores in the points test. Some states require applicants to obtain a higher score in language tests, etc. In short, immigration is more likely to be successful in the states that impose simpler and fewer state-specific requirements on potential applicants.
Among all the states in Australia, Tasmania has the most favourable immigration policy that sets the lowest entry requirements for applicants. Tasmania's open-door immigration policy is relatively stable, which significantly eliminates the uncertainty in your immigration journey.
Step 2: Meet the Tasmanian Government nomination requirements
The Tasmanian Government has divided applicants into two categories, namely, Tasmanian Graduate and Working in Tasmania. You need to firstly choose from one of the two categories based on your background, then meet the requirements of the chosen category.
Nomination Category 1： Tasmanian Graduate
Nomination Category 2： Working in Tasmania
The state government lists four pieces of critical information on its official website. Before exploring the requirements of your chosen category, it is highly recommended to firstly understand the critical information.
Nomination Category 1： Tasmanian Graduate
Nomination Category 2： Working in Tasmania
The state government lists four pieces of critical information on its official website. Before exploring the requirements of your chosen category, it is highly recommended to firstly understand the critical information.
AESC’s in-depth analysis
The Tasmanian government declares that a state nomination cannot be guaranteed because of the limited nomination quota. In fact, the nomination quota is limited in all states. Wherever you seek a state nomination, you have to compete with other applicants. Compared to other states, the Tasmanian annual nomination quota is relatively sufficient and covers most applicants. Therefore, competition for the state nomination is remarkably less fierce in Tasmania. Detailed information regarding state nomination quota in each state can be found on the official website of the Department of Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels
AESC’s in-depth analysis:
This critical information expresses the Tasmanian Government's welcoming attitude towards high-quality applicants. This group of applicants will be considered for a 190 nomination even if they do not meet the subclass 190 category requirements. The Tasmanian Government has also clearly established their criteria or 'high-quality Calibre'.The requirements for High-Quality Calibre are mainly focused on the applicant's skills assessment, work experience and the length of residence in Tasmania. However, the Government merely stated that they would consider it, therefore satisfying the criteria does not guarantee a subclass 190 nomination. Based on our previous experience, it's hard to be regarded as "High Calibre" unless the applicant is extraordinarily exceptional.
AESC’s in-depth analysis:
Applicants who meet the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) requirements will naturally meet the requirements for Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa. In other words, when you apply for subclass 190 nomination, you can choose to include subclass 491 as an option in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI).Suppose you choose to include subclass 491 as an option when you apply for subclass 190 nomination, and your application is not successful due to insufficient competitiveness. In that case, the state will consider your application for nomination for a subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. However, unsuccessful subclass 190 applicants who fail to include both options will not be nominated for a visa.
Some of you may be wondering： If I include subclass 491 as an option when applying for subclass 190 nomination, will the Tasmanian Government be more inclined to grant me the subclass 491 visa?
This question was specifically raised at the state government conference in February this year. Migration Policy Manager at Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas), Mr. Martin, gave a clear response, saying that including 491 in the 190 application does not affect your chance of being offered the 190 nomination. (Please get in touch with us if you are interested in watching a live video recording of the conference).
"This is certainly not the case. As I mentioned before (in a previous presentation), both options have to be checked off. If we think you're a competitive enough 190 applicant, we'll certainly grant you the subclass 190 visa. If you fail to meet the 190 criteria, we'll consider the subclass 491. However, if you do not include subclass 491 as an option, then I'm afraid we'll have to reject your application."
AESC’s advice:
We strongly advise you to include subclass 491 as an option when you apply for subclass 190 nomination. If you are a competitive 190 applicant, then checking the 491 box will by no means affect the case officer's decision to grant you a subclass 190 nomination. Likewise, suppose you are not competitive enough as a 190 applicant. In that case, the state government will not feel obligated to grant you the subclass 190 nomination simply because you do not include 491 as an option.In addition, if your application is refused, you need to wait for at least 3-6 months to lodge a new application. However, if you are unable to demonstrate that your circumstances have been significantly improved, your application is unlikely to be successful. Moreover, during the 3-6 months waiting period, you may face the problem of visa expiration, the possibility of quota being used up and the risk of policy change.
For example, in the year 2019, a 190 subclass applicant did not include 489 as an option when applying for 190. Unfortunately, his 190 application was refused. Soon after the refusal, the Department of Home Affairs replaced the previous 489 visa with the 491 visa. 491 visa holders now need to live and work in regional Australia for three years and meet the salary threshold to apply for permanent residency. In contrast, 489 visa holders can apply for permanent residence if they live in regional Australia for 2 years without reaching a salary threshold.
We fully understand why applicants are concerned about the 491 option. However, not including 491 while applying for 190 can be an extremely risky and unrewarding decision. Including 491 or not in your 190 application does not affect your overall competitiveness as a 190 applicant. Therefore it does not affect the case officer's decision for granting the 190 nomination.
Categories for skilled migrants
Let’s take a deep look at the two categories of subclass 190 in the following article. Please note, applicants only need to meet the criteria for one of the two categories.Nomination Category 1: Tasmanian Graduate
Study commenced before 30 June 2021:If you commenced your last course of study in Tasmania before 30 June 2021
● You MUST have completed and graduated from a CRICOS registered tertiary institution in Tasmania and met the Australian study requirement through study in Tasmania
● Your course of study MUST have been completed full time and on-site in Tasmania
● Have lived in the state for at least 2 years and during your period of study prior to applying for visa state nomination
● You and your dependents MUST currently be living in Tasmania and able to provide evidence of your genuine ongoing commitment to remain in Tasmania
● If you are not currently in skilled employment you must provide a career plan that explains how your studies have increased your ability to find skilled work in Tasmania. This may include areas unrelated to your Tasmanian study.
AESC’s in-depth analysis
1. It is crucial to choose a reputable Tasmanian registered education provider to study a two-year course. Factors you should consider when deciding what course to study include the quality of teaching and internship, the professional networks provided by the education provider, the job prospects, etc. As a Tasmania-based local registered migration agent, we are equipped with the most updated information. We will suggest the best study options tailored to your situation.In addition, the two-year course must be fully completed. For example, if you enrol in a 3-year undergraduate course, you will have been studying in Tasmania for two years' time by the second year. However, your course has not been completed. Therefore, you are not eligible to apply for the 190 nomination yet. You need to wait until you graduate.
2. Your course of study MUST have been completed full time and on-site in Tasmania. "Full-time study" means that part-time study does not meet the nomination requirements. The Australian Study Requirement (ASR) defines full-time study as enrolling in three courses per semester at the minimum. "On-site study" means that you need to attend an on-campus course in person. Online study or distance education do not count in your two-year study period. 3. It is required that you have lived in the state for at least 2 years and during your period of study prior to applying for visa state nomination. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants come to Tasmania before the start of their study to meet the two-year residency requirement directly upon graduation. PS: The Tasmanian Government introduced Flexible Requirement Policy in response to COVID-19 and to align with the skills needs of the state. Remote / online study for applicants MUST have commenced a course in Tasmania, lived in Tasmania for a minimum 12 months and completed a minimum total of 12 months study on campus. (For more information about Flexible Requirement Policy, don't hesitate to get in touch with us or visit Skilled Migration.)
4. The Tasmanian Government specifically indicated that the applicant and dependents MUST currently be living in Tasmania and able to provide evidence of your genuine ongoing commitment to remain in Tasmania. This can be a decisive factor in your application.
The Tasmanian government offers such a favourable state nomination immigration policy to attract people to live in Tasmania. The state government wants applicants to settle in Tasmania in the long term, thereby contributing to Tasmania's economic growth and improving its aging demographics. If the applicants and dependents do not demonstrate a willingness or ability to stay in Tasmania for a long period of time, the state government may not grant an invitation even if the requirements are met.
5. The applicant is supposed to generate a career plan. If the applicant does not currently have a skilled employment in Tasmania, the state government can be concerned about the applicant's ability to live in Tasmania in the long term. You need to write a Career Plan that clearly states a feasible plan to find a high-skilled job in Tasmania. In this way, you can show the state government that, despite being temporarily unemployed, you have the ability to find skilled employment and will be able to stay in Tasmania in the long run.
Study commenced after 30 June 2021
If you commenced your last course of study in Tasmania after 30 June 202:● You MUST have completed a course of study and obtained a letter of completion from a tertiary institution in Tasmania registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)
● Your course of study MUST be listed on CRICOS with a duration of at least 92 weeks* and must have been completed full time and on-site in Tasmania
● You MUST have lived in the state for at least 2 calendar years from the commencement of your course and for the duration of your studies
● You and your dependents MUST currently be living in Tasmania and demonstrate a genuine commitment to continue to live in Tasmania
● If you are not currently in skilled employment you MUST provide a career plan that explains how your studies have increased your ability to find skilled work in Tasmania. This may include areas unrelated to your Tasmanian study
● Your study does not need to be related to your nominated occupation, however a relevant skills assessment will be highly regarded.
● If you held a Student visa (subclass 500) when you completed your last course of study in Tasmania, the study MUST be:
- a degree (bachelor, masters or any higher degree), or a diploma (standard, advanced, associate or graduate); or
- a qualification directly related to a Priority Industry Training and Workforce Development Area (current at the time you commenced study) at the minimum qualification level specified for that area.
Please note, if you would like to learn more about Priority Industry Training and Workforce Development Area, please contact us by scanning the QR code at the end of this article.
AESC’s in-depth analysis
Compared to the previous policy for graduates who commenced the last course of study before June 30 2021, the new policy adds several additional provisions to the previous policy. Therefore, our analysis will focus mainly on these new provisions.Update 1: For students who want to come to Tasmania to get 190, they MUST complete a full time 2-year course. This means that students who shorten the length of their study to less than 2 years through credit transfer do not meet this requirement. Completing the two-year course in an accelerated study mode does not meet this requirement either. For example, if you complete a 2-year master degree within 1.5 years by enrolling in summer and winter semesters, you do not meet the 2-year study requirement.
Update 2: For students who commenced the last course of study after June 30 2021, their study does not need to be related to the nominated occupation. However, a relevant skills assessment will be highly regarded. Therefore, if you’ve obtained a skills assessment, it is recommended to study in the fields relevant to your skills assessment. Although a relevant skills assessment is not mandatory, it will provide you with competitive advantages in your 190 application. For example, if you already hold a skills assessment as a general accountant, studying finance, MBA and other business-related courses will improve your competitiveness when applying the 190 state nomination.
The state government specifically emphasises this newly added information, indicating that the Tasmanian government values the significance of applicants’ Tasmanian study, hoping that it can improve their abilities and contribute to their career prospects. Take the applicant with an accounting skills assessment as an example, although he can study other courses in Tasmania if he would like to, such as commercial cookery and community service, these courses will not benefit his 190 application if he cannot receive a relevant skills assessment or secure a high-skilled job in relevant fields. For those students who argue that studying in a completely different field is to change their career path, it is recommended to provide evidence when applying for the 190 state nomination, such as a relevant skills assessment, a relevant job and so on.
The Tasmanian government would like to nominate Tasmanian graduates who demonstrate a genuine intention to settle in Tasmania. Students who consider permanent residency as the only purpose of studying in Tasmania are unlikely to be nominated because they may leave the state soon after receiving the state nomination. Studying a course that is not relevant to your backgrounds but is said to be “preferred” by the state government will not benefit your application unless you can prove your genuine intention with supporting evidence.
For example, an applicant with a business background enrols in the commercial cookery course in Tasmania. If he cannot obtain a skills assessment as a chef or cook, or cannot find relevant jobs in hospitality fields when applying for the state nomination, he may not be considered as a competitive applicant. The state government may be concerned about his intention of the study, his willingness and his ability to settle in Tasmania in the long term.
Tasmanian Graduates are highly valued by the state government. Detailed guidance regarding the state nomination can be found on the official website (For more information, please visit International Student Graduates).
Suggestions for international graduates from Tasmanian Government
Suggestion I
AESC’s in-depth analysis
This suggestion on the state government’s official website clearly states the occupations in high demand in Tasmania (refer to the TSOL list and Priority Training and Workforce Development Area list). Graduates who study in these fields will be highly regarded, especially if the study is related to health, trades and construction, engineering and community services.It is also noted that previously there was no requirement for on-campus study. Now all courses commenced in Tasmania MUST be full time and on campus. This new policy indicates that the state government would like students to experience the local life and build connections with the local society. Students who establish meaningful connections with the Tasmanian community are more likely to settle after graduation. Those students who do not live and study in Tasmania during their studies are unlikely to be nominated.
The state government has also expressed a preference for graduates outside the greater Hobart region, such as Launceston. This indicates that the Tasmanian Government encourages people to study in Launceston and make contributions to the local community.
It is clearly stated that Graduate Certificate courses do not count as study time, but Graduate Diploma courses do. This change indicates that the state government values the level and quality of qualifications obtained in Tasmania. Therefore, it is recommended that you enrol with reputable education providers and pursuit higher degrees such as undergraduate, graduate diploma, postgraduate, etc.
Although the state government lists several industries in Tasmania that are currently in high demand, applicants who do not have study or work experience in these fields do not need to worry. Firstly, the TSOL list changes every year. The Priority Training and Workforce Development Area list is reviewed every two or three years. Occupations on these lists keep changing. Secondly, the state nomination quota in Tasmania is relatively sufficient. Applicants with skills assessments related to Accounting and IT may find it extremely difficult to migrate in other states. But in Tasmania, where the quota is relatively sufficient, migration is much more feasible. For example, according to statistics from previous years, over 50% of the state nominations were granted to accounting students. Therefore, even if your study is not in the prioritized fields, you still have a good chance to be nominated in Tasmania.
Suggestion II:
AESC’s in-depth analysis
This advice may seem straightforward, but there are considerable implications behind it. Students are responsible for conducting their own research and choosing an education provider they believe is the most credible and reliable. In other words, the school’s reputation and quality of teaching are very likely to affect the success of the state nomination. If the school is no longer qualified to be registered with CRICOS or the quality of teaching is problematic, students have to bear the negative consequences of their own choice.Therefore, we recommend that applicants be careful when selecting their education providers. Applicants should be especially cautious of institutions not registered with CRICOS or at risk of being removed from the CRICOS list. The University of Tasmania is the only public university in the state. Although there are private education providers in Tasmania, their quality of teaching varies significantly. You are more than welcome to book a free consultation with us before choosing a school to enrol with. As a local-based registered migration agent, we will provide you with detailed information about Tasmanian education institutions and help you find out the one that suits you.
Suggestion III
AESC’s in-depth analysis
The state government expresses a preference for applicants who can make meaningful contributions to the local economy and community. In addition, if your secondary applicant has the ability to contribute to Tasmanian society, he or she can make your case stronger.Applicants can make meaningful contributions by various means. Investing in a local-based business, participating in community activities, volunteering your time and skills to help others in the community are some of the things you can do to make yourself a distinguished applicant.
Therefore, it is suggested that potential Tasmanian Graduate stream applicants can seize prosperous business opportunities when studying in Tasmania. You are also encouraged to devote your time and efforts in community service activities, which helps you blend in the local community and benefits your state nomination application.
Suggestion IV
AESC’s in-depth analysis
Whether you need to have a job or not when submitting the state nomination application is the question most people ask when choosing a migration destination.The Tasmanian government has clearly stated that having a job is NOT a mandatory requirement for applicants from the Tasmanian Graduate category. The only compulsory requirement for Tasmanian graduates is to complete their full-time study in Tasmania for one (Subclass 491) or two (Subclass 190) years. The state government understands that international students may focus on their studies and need more time to prepare for entering the workforce.
The main reason why having a job is favourable is that people who have a job are more likely to stay in Tasmania in the long term. As a designated regional state, Tasmania is less attractive to migrants than metropolitan areas. The state government values applicants’ commitment to Tasmania more than any other criteria. If you are not currently employed, you still have a good chance to obtain a state nomination if you can demonstrate your genuine ability and commitment to live in Tasmania in the long run.
Apart from obtaining employment, there are many other ways to show your genuine ability and commitment to settle in Tasmania. Your ability to find high-skilled jobs in the near future can be demonstrated in the Career Plan. Your argument can be more convincing if you have carefully researched the local job market, developed your professional network while studying and sharpened your professional skills in internships or volunteer activities. Your commitment to the state can be shown in various means as well, such as volunteering, participating in community activities, buying a house and so on. In a nutshell, employment is NOT the only decisive factor that underpins a successful state nomination application.
How can you make your case stronger? The answer to this question highly depends on your background. Please get in touch with us for detailed advice tailored for you to maximize your chance in the state nomination application.
Suggestion V
AESC’s summary
It is worth noticing that for Tasmanian Graduates category applicants, the state government sets no additional requirements apart from completion of the study, such as EOI score, state-specific occupation lists, working experience, job offer or occupation-specific quota. These additional requirements can be fairly hard to achieve, making them the biggest barriers that break the migration journey. As an individual, we have no control over the change of the migration policy, the occupation lists, or the vacancies in the labour market in the graduation year. However, if you choose Tasmania as your migration destination, you do not need to worry about these requirements at all.The migration policy in Tasmania is all about commitment to the state and employability skills. These two aspects are comparatively easier for applicants to gain control of. For example, to demonstrate your commitment to the state, you can participate in volunteer activities and other community activities, join in Uni clubs and so on. To demonstrate your abilities to secure high-skilled employment in the near future, you can conduct research of the labour market, seize unpaid internship opportunities, establish your professional network during your study and so on. The state government do not require you to have a job when lodging your application. As long as you can show your genuine ability and commitment to settle in Tasmania, the state government will regard you as a strong applicant.
Compared to other states where local working experience closely related to your nominated occupation is one of the compulsory entry requirements, the Tasmanian state nomination program is significantly more favourable and feasible.
Nomination Category 2: Working in Tasmania
AESC’s in-depth analysis
1. If you hold a student visa, you may not be able to meet the entry requirements of the working stream. Because your employment needs to be at least 35 hours per week, but a student visa only allows you to work for 20 hours per week. You are supposed to obtain a visa with full working rights to prepare for 190 under the working stream, such as a 485 temporary graduate visa.2. Both the main applicant and his or her secondary applicant must be physically in Tasmania and express genuine intention to settle in Tasmania in the long run when lodging the application. This means that the state government also evaluates the competitiveness of the secondary applicant. It is important that the secondary applicant has strong willingness and ability to settle in Tasmania. Therefore, if you plan to apply for the state nomination with your secondary applicant in the future, it is recommended that you both come and live in Tasmania. You will present a stronger case if your secondary applicant shows considerable commitment to the state (such as active participation in events held in the community, securing an employment, etc.).
3. Your employment needs to be in your nominated occupation and must be on the Tasmanian Skilled Occupations List (TSOL). This occupations list only applies to the working stream applicants, while graduate stream applicants are not restricted by this list. The working stream applicants must first ensure that their nominated occupation lies on the TSOL list and then find jobs with the same or highly relevant title.
For example, if your nominated occupation from your skills assessment is general accountant or ICT business analyst, although you find a full-time job that is highly relevant to your nominated occupation, you are not eligible to apply for subclass 190 under the working category. This is because occupations such as general accountant and ICT business analyst are not on the TSOL list. However, if you have completed two-year study in Tasmania, you are eligible to apply subclass 190 under the Tasmanian graduate category if other entry requirements are met. This is because the TSOL list does not apply to graduate stream applicants. There is no state-specific occupation list that restricts Tasmanian graduate stream applicants.
4. Your employer must be a well-established business actively operating in Tasmania for the past 12 months. This means that your working experience may not be qualified for the state nomination if your company is not performing well. It is suggested that you work for a local-based company that has been established its reputation through years of operation. When applying for the state nomination, such employment appears to be convincing and trustworthy. Demonstrating the company’s genuine need for these occupations will not be challenging. It can be risky to work for newly established companies or companies with highly unstable revenue. There are also other indicators suggesting that some companies may not operate on an ongoing basis. The responsibility to conduct research and choose a reliable employer falls on the shoulder of applicants.
5. Additional requirements regarding the length of employment contracts are newly added to the state nomination criteria. There must be a genuine, ongoing need for your position within that business (including a minimum 12-month contract with at least 3 months remaining at the time you apply for nomination). The state government has provided clear guidance regarding how to demonstrate the genuine and ongoing need of the position. Please feel free to contact us or refer to the official website for more detailed information. Committing fraud, such as buying a fake job, should never be an option. The state government verifies all the information you provide. If your application is refused because of dishonesty, this reason will be recorded in the state government’s system. It is highly unlikely that your next application will be approved in the future.
In addition, although 6-months full-time working experience is qualified for 190 working stream application, the contract with your employer needs to be 12 months long with at least 3 months remaining at the time you apply for the nomination. The contract can be casual or part-time. The extended contract term has two purposes: firstly, the long-term contract indicates the genuine and ongoing need for the position. Secondly, the extended contract reinsures the state government that the applicant will not leave Tasmania soon after the nomination.
6. Your wages and conditions must be no less favourable than those that would apply to an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and salary or wages are equivalent to the market salary rate. This is to prevent employers from exploiting their employees who need the job to apply for the state nomination. In addition, people who need the job for state nomination now lose the incentives to ask for a lower salary to secure the position. The local job market will not be disturbed.
7. The state government specifically lists areas of employment that are not supported for nomination under the working category. These areas include supermarkets, service stations, limited-service restaurants, massage clinics, taxi/uber drivers, cleaning, business maintenance or security work. Unfortunately, people with temporary visas often work in these fields after being refused many times when looking for a high-skilled job.
AESC’s Overall Analysis
Category 1 – Tasmanian Graduate：
Stable and favourable policy, no major change in past years.
There is no occupation-specific quota assigned to each occupation. Applicants with various skills assessment (e.g. accounting, IT, social worker, engineer, nursing,etc.) share the quota allocated to the financial year. The points test requirement is the same for applicants with various nominated occupations. You only need to accumulate 65 points (in which 5 points will be granted to 190 applicants; 15 points will be granted to 491 applicants by the state government) on the Department of Home Affairs points test.
Unlike other states, Tasmania does not have a state-specific occupation list for graduate stream applicants. As long as your nominated occupation lies in the Australian Home Affair’s skilled occupation lists, you are more than welcomed in Tasmania. Note that Tasmanian’s TSOL list is irrelevant to graduate stream applicants. The TSOL list applies to 190 working stream applicants and overseas applicants only.
Unlike many other states (such as NSW and SA), a job offer or local working experience is not an entry requirement to lodge a 190/491 application in Tasmania.
The “Priority Training and Workforce Development Areas” list was announced. Student visa (subclass 500) visa holders who enroll in vocational education courses (such as Certificate 3, Certificate 4 courses), must study in these areas to meet the entry requirements as graduate stream applicants. Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders must also study in these areas. This list is irrelevant to student visa holders who will pursuit higher degrees (Diploma, bachelor, master, etc.).
Policy changes (if there will be any) will only apply to future students. Students who have started their studies will not be affected. Students enrolled in their courses prior to the policy changes will still be assessed against the original criteria when applying for the state nomination. The policy lag, which is the lag between the time new policies are announced and the time new policies are implemented, protects the rights of current students in Tasmania. For example, new policies announced on 19 January 2021 came into effect on 30 June 2021. These policies do not affect current students; they only apply to students who started their courses after 30 June 2021. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students who plan to migrate start their studies in Tasmania as soon as possible. “The sooner, the better” is always the absolute truth in the migration journey.
The Tasmanian Graduate Category is the stream that has the lowest entry requirements and the highest success rate.
Category 2- Working in Tasmania:
Favourable policy compared to other states, but become more restrictive compared to previous years
It is the first time that the state government has stated certain expectations regarding applicants’ wages and conditions. Applicants’ wages and conditions must be no less favourable than those that would apply to an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and salary or wages are equivalent to the market salary rate.Unchanged criteria include: there must be a genuine, ongoing need for your position within the business; your employer must be a well-established business that has been actively operating in Tasmania for the past 12 months. This means that newly registered companies and companies that do not operate well cannot support your state nomination. The biggest challenge is that employers need to provide loads of detailed documents, such as BAS (Business Activity Statement), to prove that the business is well operated. However, employers can be reluctant to disclose these highly sensitive financial information to the state government, just to support an employee’s visa application.
In addition, if your position is classified at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, your employer may have to prove that there is a genuine and demonstrated severe labour recruitment difficulty of your position. Therefore, your service needs to be outstanding and irreplaceable, and your employer needs to be highly supportive and cooperative.
Finally, job opportunities in certain areas are relatively easy to seize. However, these areas of employment are not supported for nomination under the “working in Tasmania” category, such as employment relating to supermarkets, massage clinics, uber/driving, cleaning, security work, etc. Unfortunately, many international temporary visa holders land these kinds of jobs for various reasons. It is stated explicitly on the government website that potential applicants should hold realistic job prospects. Tasmania is a regional area with fewer job vacancies than metropolitan areas. It is strongly recommended that potential applicants conduct careful research about the job market before applying under the “working in Tasmania” category.
Step 3: Expression of Interest (EOI)
AESC’s in-depth analysis
As mentioned above, applicants have to meet the basic requirements set up by the Australian Home Affairs, then meet the criteria set up by the state government.Australian Home Affairs uses EOI to assess whether applicants meet the basic requirements for skilled migration programs. All the state nomination applications are submitted to the Home Affairs’ pool of skilled visas. Only if the basic requirements are met, applicants will then be assessed against the Tasmanian state nomination criterion. Once all the requirements of Home Affairs and the state government are satisfied, applicants will be considered to be nominated. If applicants are successfully nominated by the state government, they can submit other required documents to Home Affairs and wait for the visa approval.
Step 4: Document Checklist
There are 3 groups of documents to upload:
- ESSENTIAL (required for all applications);
- CATEGORY SPECIFIC (required depending on your choice of nomination category);
- ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING (other miscellaneous documents).
- ESSENTIAL (required for all applications);
- CATEGORY SPECIFIC (required depending on your choice of nomination category);
- ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING (other miscellaneous documents).
Group 1: ESSENTIAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (all categories):
AESC’s in-depth analysis
One of the requirements in the Commitment Statement is worth noticing. If you or your dependents have studied or lived in another Australian state or territory within the last 12 months, you need to indicate why you want to re-settle in Tasmania.It is recommended that you and your dependents do not frequently travel to other states once deciding to apply for the state nomination in Tasmania. Otherwise, it can be difficult to demonstrate your genuine intention to settle in Tasmania in the long term.
We once had a client who studied in Tasmania and planned to apply for state nomination under the Tasmanian Graduate Category. However, his partner did not come to Tasmania with him at the very beginning. She stayed and worked in another state until several months before his graduation. After they lodged their state nomination, the state government asked them to explain the partner’s long-term stay outside of Tasmania. Obviously, the state government highly values the commitment of both main applicants and their sub-applicants.
If you are planning to apply for the state nomination with your sub applicant, it is recommended that your dependent applicant comes to Tasmania with you. If that is not feasible, your dependent applicant is supposed to live with you in Tasmania for at least 12 months before lodging the state nomination application.
CATEGORY SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS (also required):
AESC’s in-depth analysis
There are five requirements added to the Tasmanian Graduate Category on 29 January 2021.1. Applicants should provide a travel itinerary, such as airline or spirit of Tasmanian itinerary of permanent arrival in Tasmania. It indicates that the state government is asking for evidence to verify whether the applicants genuinely stay in Tasmania during their study. It is recommended to move to Tasmania before the course start date, keep your rental contract, airline or spirit tickets and other documents to prove your genuine stay in Tasmania. In addition, please remember to change the address of your bank account after arriving in Tasmania.
2. If you are currently unemployed, you need to generate an employability statement to demonstrate your ability to secure employment in the Tasmanian labour market. The state government emphasizes the importance of linking your Tasmanian study to your skills and previous experiences to prove your ability to settle in Tasmania and contribute to the local community. This new policy implies that you should give careful consideration when choosing your education provider and area of study. Factors such as your academic background, skills assessment, previous working experience and etc. should be taken into account. It might not be a wise choice to follow the crowd and enrol in a “popular” course. There is not an education provider or an area of learning that suits every potential applicant and can benefit their state nomination application. Please feel free to contact us for professional advice. We will provide personalized solutions that suit your background and cater for your needs.
3. All Australian qualifications are required, including completion letters and academic transcripts of your study in other states. Previously, only documents relevant to Tasmanian study were needed.
4. Statutory declaration now counts as evidence of living in Tasmania. When firstly come to Tasmania, some people may temporarily live at places without rental agreements, such as a friend’s house. If that is the case, you can ask people who live with you to sign a statutory declaration stating that you physically stayed in Tasmania at that time. If you need a statutory declaration template, please do not hesitate to contact us.
5. The employment contract is now required if you have a job (don’t worry about it if you haven’t found a job yet). Previously, only employment certificates and payslips were needed. If you find a job in Tasmania, please ask for a formal employment contract and keep it once it’s signed.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Step 5: Apply for Nomination
Step 6: Apply for Visa
Step 7: Maintain Obligations
About us
· Founded in 2014, AESC TASMANIA is a MARA (The Migration Agents Registration Authority) registered migration agent in Australia.· We’ve stayed dedicated to Tasmanian education and migration services for 8 years.
· Our professional services have helped over 3500 clients realize their migration dreams.
· From 2017 to 2021, we have been the best performing agent officially acknowledged by the University of Tasmania for five consecutive years.
Contact Us
WhatsApp: +61 450 977 777Mobile：0450 977 777
Email: aesc@aesctas.com
Address：24A Magnet Court，Sandy Bay，TAS，7005 (near UTAS)
If you choose Tasmania as the destination to study and migrate, a local migration agent like us will provide you with the best help!
